Worcester Common Burial Ground
Photo added by Susan Fenner

Worcester Common Burial Ground

Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA

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  • Get directions Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
    Coordinates: 42.26211, -71.80068
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The Old Burial Ground was not the first but perhaps the oldest burial ground still in existence in Worcester. Founded about 1730, its boundaries were formalized at the order of the Selectman soon after March 1733/4. It is said to have been the only cemetery in use between 1730 and 1795 at Worcester. The first burial ground is thought to have been within the enclosure of the brick schoolhouse which was located at the intersection of Summer & Thomas Street and is supposed that those burials were removed here around 1730.

In 1847, William S. Barton prepared a transcription of the Old Burial Ground which is the source for many of the burials listed here. Most markers within the grounds were buried and the land "smoothed over" in 1853. Some were taken by friends and family and a number of them are now in the possession of the Historical Society. Those markers present at this site are reproductions.

In 1968, during the construction of the Worcester Center, 111 remains were removed and re-interred in the Hope Cemetery. Of these, forty-seven were identified and their markers moved with the remains, the other sixty-four were unidentified. A memorial to these 111 was erected to commemorate the re-interment.



The Old Burial Ground was not the first but perhaps the oldest burial ground still in existence in Worcester. Founded about 1730, its boundaries were formalized at the order of the Selectman soon after March 1733/4. It is said to have been the only cemetery in use between 1730 and 1795 at Worcester. The first burial ground is thought to have been within the enclosure of the brick schoolhouse which was located at the intersection of Summer & Thomas Street and is supposed that those burials were removed here around 1730.

In 1847, William S. Barton prepared a transcription of the Old Burial Ground which is the source for many of the burials listed here. Most markers within the grounds were buried and the land "smoothed over" in 1853. Some were taken by friends and family and a number of them are now in the possession of the Historical Society. Those markers present at this site are reproductions.

In 1968, during the construction of the Worcester Center, 111 remains were removed and re-interred in the Hope Cemetery. Of these, forty-seven were identified and their markers moved with the remains, the other sixty-four were unidentified. A memorial to these 111 was erected to commemorate the re-interment.



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